Get familiar with Angels slugger Mike Trout

Ok, I’m going to just come out and say it, I can’t take my eyes off of Mike Trout.

It may not be a “man crush” yet, but it sure as heck is getting close to it. But ever since he was rightfully called up to the big leagues on April 27, every Angels game has become must-see (as if it wasn’t already). When he steps into the batting box, I literally stop everything I’m doing waiting to see what he’ll do next.

At the time of his call-up, my Angels were a dreadful 6-14 and coming up drastically short in reaching everyone’s preseason World Series predictions. Albert Pujols was in the midst of the worst stretch of his career at the plate, still homerless 20 games into the season. They were nine games behind their AL West rival Texas Rangers. It was after a 3-2 loss that day to Cleveland that Trout was recalled for his second MLB stint with the hope he would inject some life into the floundering Angels club, no pun intended.

Well let’s just say, Trout has been everything the Angels could’ve hoped for and 35 games later, the Angels sit at 28-27 and their deficit behind the Rangers have been slashed in half following a series win over Texas and 10 victories in their last 12 games.

The five-tool prospect has emerged into one of the game’s best leadoff hitters in just over a month and has changed the culture in Anaheim. In fact, he finally gives the Angels their first legitimate leadoff option since Chone Figgins’ departure in 2009, igniting a lifeless offense. He is ranked in the top-five on the team in just about every offensive category including runs scored (tied for first), hits (fifth), doubles (third), triples (first), home runs (tied for fourth), RBIs (fourth), batting average (second) and stolen bases (tied for first) despite playing in just 33 games this season. His slugging percentage and OPS is even higher than Pujols’.

But not only has Trout made an impact at the plate, but he’s also played superior defense in the outfield. His speed is always on display whether he’s roaming the outfield grass or on the base paths as he’s constantly wreaking havoc on the opposition.

For his incredible display of skills during the month of May, Trout was named the American League Rookie of the Month on Sunday. During his first full month in the big leagues in 2012, Trout batted .324 with five homers, six doubles, two triples, 11 walks, 16 RBIs, 21 runs scored and eight steals while helping turn around the Angels’ season.

Even more so it’s refreshing to see him succeed after several past Angels top prospects have been nothing short of busts (I’m looking right at you Brandon Wood).

Coupled with Bryce Harper in D.C. with the Nationals, Bud Selig should be doing cartwheels with the bright, young talent he’s got in Trout (20 years old) and Harper (19 years old). The two were the consensus top-two prospects in the game heading into the season and little over a month after they made their season debuts (Harper was called up on April 28, a day after Trout), they’re now the two reigning Rookies of the Month for their respective leagues.

But for me, it’s all about Trout. From robbing Nick Swisher of an extra-base hit while crashing into the outfield wall face first to his three RBI game against the Rangers to beating out a Nelson Cruz rifle from shallow right field at the plate all in the last week, he’s got me hooked.

Still two months shy of his 21st birthday, Trout is just getting started. That being said, I’ve got years and years to reach develop my aforementioned “man crush.” Of course at his rate though, he’ll have me at his next breathtaking play by the end of today.

Chris and Michaela follow Rean and Valimar directly into the sequel to Trails of Cold Steel! It’s a game with a number of improvements and differences from the first, but still with the characters and music you’ve come to expect. …

Episode 330: Bun Fight — The gang welcomes a special guest and then decides the fate of man-buns and whether long or short hair is better. Also, Chris draws a line, Kevin makes his presence known early, Michelle knows a …

Top Tigers prospect Franklin Perez has been diagnosed with a right lat strain, per a team announcement. Though he isn’t expected to require surgery, Perez is going to be sidelined for “a minimum of 12 weeks.” Perez, 20, was the centerpiece of the major, last-second swap that sent Justin Verlander from Detroit to the eventual…

The Braves have re-assigned much-hyped prospect Ronald Acuna to minor-league camp, David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution was among those to report on Twitter. He’ll presumably open the season at Triple-A. It’s rarely notable when a 20-year-old is moved out of major-league camp. Then again, it’s fairly rare even to see a player of that age… […]

The Royals have agreed to a minor-league deal with righty Clay Buchholz, a report from Bob Nightengale of USA Today indicates (Twitter links). If the deal is finalized, Buchholz can earn at a $1.5MM rate in the majors. Buchholz can also reach up to $250K in incentives. He’d earn $25K apiece for making his tenth…

The recent death of owner Tom Benson could eventually result in the Pelicans franchise leaving New Orleans, Tom Ziller of SB Nation discusses in a detailed column. The Pelicans signed a lease six years ago to stay in New Orleans until 2024, but it’s still possible that the franchise could try to break that lease, […]

Danilo Gallinari‘s injury-riddled season has been the Clippers’ biggest issue, coach Doc Rivers told Elliott Teaford of the Orange County Register and other media members. Gallinari hasn’t played since February 22nd and has only appeared in 19 games. He was acquired in a deal with the Nuggets last summer with the expectation that he’d solidify […]

Cavaliers forward Kevin Love will play on Monday for the first time since breaking a bone in his left hand, Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today tweets. Love has been sidelined since suffering the injury during the first quarter at Detroit on January 30th. He was expected to miss eight weeks, so Love recovered a little […]

Draft Adam Schefter reports that rain is in the forecast for USC QB Sam Darnold‘s Pro Day on Wednesday. However, Darnold still intends to throw after skipping that portion of the Combine, even if it rains. Peter King writes that “there’s a good chance the Colts aren’t done trading yet” despite trading down three spots with … The post NFL Notes: Draft, Bills, […]

Adam Schefter reports that the Colts are signing TE Eric Ebron is signing a two-year deal worth a maximum value of $15 million. The Colts have already announced the move. Ebron visited with the Panthers since becoming available and the Patriots and Ravens were mentioned as potential options, but it appears as though the Colts wound … The post Colts Signing T […]

The New York Jets announced Monday that they’ve signed LB Brandon Copeland to a contract. Copeland, 26, originally signed on with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent out of Pennsylvania back in 2013. He lasted just a few months with the team before he was waived and later caught on with the Titans during his … The post Jets Sign LB Brandon Copeland appeare […]